MSc Osteopathy (pre-registration)

This full-time undergraduate programme for qualified chiropractors, sports therapists, physiotherapists and medical practitioners is a two-year pre-qualifying course designed to give these practitioners the opportunity to achieve the required competence profile for autonomous osteopathic practice.

Whilst enabling these practitioners to develop the required clinical competence profile for registration with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), the course aims to produce clinicians who have the knowledge and skills to integrate osteopathy with their existing healthcare practice in sports therapy, chiropractic, physiotherapy or medicine.

Mode of study

Full-time

Dates & duration

August start, 2 years

Location

University College of Osteopathy
275 Borough High Street
London SE1 1JE

Awarding body

University College of Osteopathy

Professional body accreditation

The MSc Osteopathy (pre-registration) has Recognised Qualification status with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and will enable you to apply to join the GOsC register on successful completion.

Entry requirements

Suitable academic qualification (honours degree in physiotherapy or equivalent, honours degree in chiropractic or equivalent, honours degree in sports therapy or equivalent or equivalent overseas qualifications, or a degree in medicine).

Applicants with an honours degree in sports therapy or equivalent overseas qualification should normally have achieved a minimum high 2:1 (or equivalent). In addition, they should have a good A-level or equivalent profile.

Ideally applicants will be required to provide evidence of having achieved IELTS level 7.0 or equivalent.

Evidence of recent engagement in musculoskeletal care, preferably two years minimum, through the presentation of a clinical portfolio of evidence which contains a structured reflection on previous clinical encounters to support the decision to train as an osteopath.

Applicants unable to provide evidence of at least 2 years recent engagement in musculoskeletal care will be expected to enrol on and successfully complete the pre-enrolment “Introduction to osteopathy” bridging course for the MSc PR.

Successful completion of an IPA event at the UCO. Applicants will undergo an interview and a practical skills assessment using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to take a musculoskeletal clinical case history using a basic pro-forma, patient examination with the emphasis on the use of palpation and passive range of motion evaluative procedures and diagnostic clinical reasoning. Their ability to communicate appropriately in English will also be evaluated.

Selection will be by application form. Pre-selected applicants will be invited for an interview and selection day.

The UCO is committed to a policy of inclusion, actively seeking to widen participation and to increase opportunities for high-calibre students with the aptitude and potential to undertake a degree in osteopathy. Students from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, UCO-leavers, mature ‘second career’ applicants and students with a range of seen and unseen disabilities are all warmly welcomed. Every application to the UCO is considered on its own merits.

Progression routes

This masters course will enable you to consider pursuing your research interests through our Professional Doctorate in Osteopathy.

The course will enable you to apply for registration with the GOsC and practise as an autonomous osteopathic practitioner within the UK. This course will enable you to maintain your existing professional role whilst further enhancing your competence profile as a specialist primarily in the area of musculoskeletal care. To this end, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to integrate osteopathy with your existing area of clinical practice.

Key course features

This course is designed to give you the opportunity to achieve the required competence profile for autonomous osteopathic practice whilst further developing your pre-existing knowledge and skills in the area of musculoskeletal care.

You will be exposed to a student centred learning environment to promote the critical acquisition, development and integration of clinical knowledge and osteopathic evaluative and treatment skills, within the context of your pre-existing clinical knowledge, skills, professional values and norms.

This is underpinned by a critical understanding of osteopathic philosophy and principles. Newly acquired professional capabilities will be developed and consolidated in a supervised student centred clinical education setting.

You will build upon your knowledge of human structure and function by further developing an integrated knowledge of the inter-relationship between structure, function and dysfunction in clinical presentations and integrated osteopathic care.

The course will build upon your knowledge and skills of evidence based practice and research to complete a small scale research project.

The course will also build upon your existing skills in patient care to further refine and develop your capabilities in areas such as diagnostic palpation and manual therapeutic techniques within an osteopathic context.

Course structure & delivery

The course comprises of a number of units as outlined below.

Yr 1

Year 2

Unit Title

Credits

Level

Credits

Level

Criticality and Evidence-Informed Osteopathy 1: Developing a Research Project

30

7

Core Osteopathic Capabilities
for Clinical Practice 1

30

7

Osteopathic Clinical
Education 1

30

7

Criticality and Evidence-Informed Osteopathy 2: Dissertation

30

7

Core Osteopathic Capabilities
for Clinical Practice 2

30

7

Osteopathic Clinical
Education 2

30

7

Total

90

7

90

7

A detailed overview can be found in the Course Information Form available to download from this page.

Module information

More information can be found in the Course Information Form available to download from this page.

Assessment & feedback

The course is assessed through both summative and formative assessments including:

practical and clinical examinations

critical essays

peer reviews

presentations

written exams

More information can be found in the Course Information Form available to download from this page.

Support for students

You will be supported by the Course Leader, Unit Leaders and the programme teaching team at the University College of Osteopathy (UCO).

The UCO has a Student Support team who are available to provide support on a range of issues, including learning and welfare support, and an onsite counsellor. Find out more.

Costs & financial support

Details of course fees, discounts and payment plans for this course can be found on our course fees page.

The UCO provides financial support to students in exceptional hardship. Details can be found on our Financial Support page.

How to apply

Applicants should download and complete the application form on this page and return it to admissions@uco.ac.uk

Disclaimer

Please note that while the University College of Osteopathy makes every effort to run courses as advertised, courses are subject to change or cancellation if enrolment targets are not met.

Courses are typically approved for a period of five years from the point of approval to the point of periodic course review. During this period it may be identified that modifications to a course would enhance the provision. As part of this process current students shall be consulted on any proposed change and current and prospective students shall be notified of any change.